How to Let Go, Refresh & Renew by Spending Quality Time Alone

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Carving out moments of solitude in our fast-paced, competitive world is essential to your well-being — and to living a free and purposeful life. Without intentional time alone, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are, what you value, and what truly matters to you.

Quality time alone means time without distractions — no devices, no work, no tending to other people’s needs. When you step away, you release daily stress, think more clearly, and reconnect with yourself. In that quiet space, you begin to remember your deeper desires, your calling, life messages, and the direction your life is meant to take.

ME Time – The Importance of Solitude

When you are alone, you can hear your quiet inner voice. Reflection creates insight. In nature, this process deepens. The beauty and stillness around you restore what constant activity drains.

Spending time alone reduces overwhelm.

When you step back, you see what is unfolding in your life. You begin to notice:

What needs to be released
What deserves more attention
What is draining your energy but not aligned with your values

For some, being alone feels uncomfortable. The world tells us to achieve, produce, and succeed. Letting go can feel counterintuitive. Yet growth begins with release.

Over time, we adopt habits that no longer serve us — people-pleasing, overworking, striving for control, or fearing closeness. Solitude creates space to examine these patterns.

When you step back, you reconnect with yourself. You renew your energy. You gain clarity about the direction your life needs to take.

You are not here to live for everyone else’s expectations. You are here to live your calling.

This is not indulgent; it is an act of self-respect. Solitude creates the clarity you need to let go of what no longer serves you and to be in touch with why you are here, your life purpose, with intention and peace.

REST is Essential

It becomes easier to let go when you rest. You have nothing to prove, nothing you have to do. You choose what you want to do because you care for and listen to your body and the messages it sends you.

Ask yourself:

What are your desires, dreams, and visions for your life now and your future?
Are your needs being met?

This time alone should be 'quality' time. Resting and letting go of what no longer is working in your life might seem selfish to some, but it’s not.

It’s imperative in this day and age of busyness, striving, comparisons, and competition. If we neglect our emotional and physical well-being, burnout and stress are the result.

Let go of false guilt.

When we have harmed someone, take responsibility and make amends. But many of us carry guilt that was placed on us — and that weight does not belong to us. Let it go.

When you are at peace with yourself, everyone will benefit. You cannot care for others if you do not care for yourself.

TIME Matters

An hour here and there helps, but consider unplugging at least once a week.

You may have significant responsibilities — at work, with children, or with aging family members who are health-challenged. To carry these well, you must unplug and replenish regularly.

Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning, encourages daily solitude. To begin with, just 10 minutes of quiet solitude and 10 minutes of journaling can reset your day.

If mornings don’t work for you, start where you can. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Spending time in nature strengthens this practice. In Japan, doctors prescribe forest walks as part of preventative health care.

Consider:

A long walk without your phone
A day at the beach
A lake cottage weekend
A quiet park bench with a journal

Spending time alone and in nature often opens the door to something deeper. In stillness, you may become more aware of God’s presence — not through effort or striving, but through quiet attention. When the noise fades, it becomes easier to listen and sense gentle guidance. Solitude creates space for that relationship to deepen.

Journaling

Journaling helps you untangle thoughts, emotions, and desires.

When you feel rested, reflect on where you are headed in the next few months, year, or beyond. Do adjustments need to be made?

Writing by hand often deepens reflection and memory.

Ira Progoff, founder of the Intensive Journal Method, wrote:
“Man does indeed know intuitively more than he rationally understands. Dialoguing with God, your Higher Power, your internal Self-Helper, or any other expression of your inner wisdom can be a beautiful, spiritual, lyrical experience.”

You can also use this dialogue method in your journaling. I have done it for years with profound results.

A Simple Process

Take several slow breaths. Notice your body. Release tension.
Write three words describing how you feel at the top of the page.
Choose a topic — a goal, emotion, a part of you, a relationship, or a decision.
Write freely without editing.

Reflect on questions such as:

How do I feel about this?
How does my body feel about this?
What is underneath this reaction?
What can I let go of to feel more alive or at peace?
What activities bring me joy and feel natural to me?
How can I bring more of that into my life?
In an ideal world, what would my next steps be?
How can I treat myself with more respect and kindness?

If you are exhausted, rest comes first. Renewal often begins in quiet stillness rather than striving.

When you finish journaling, write three new words describing how you feel now.

A Final Invitation

During your Alone Time, unplug from email, constant tasks, and streaming. Reading can be nourishing because it engages the imagination rather than numbing it, and it allows you to think.

If you spend extended time reflecting — even a few hours — you may begin to envision where your life or business could be in 5, 10, or 20 years.

This is not about pleasing others. It is about discovering what aligns with who you are now.

If you would like support in letting go of what no longer serves you and moving toward greater clarity, joy, and purpose, I invite you to book a complimentary 20-minute call with meby clicking this link: "Book a Call." I would be happy to speak with you and explore how I can help.